Authors Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott discuss cancel culture's impact on society, including freedom of speech, censorship, and avoiding substantive discussions. They also explore the importance of humor, the impact on trust in scientific expertise, and promote the values of free speech and compassion.
Cancel culture suppresses authentic political opinions and fosters group polarization.
Cancel culture hampers comedy's ability to provoke critical conversations and self-reflection.
Cancel culture undermines trust in expertise and promotes skepticism towards scientific information.
Deep dives
The Impact of Cancel Culture on Free Speech and Democracy
Cancel culture, characterized by campaigns to get people fired, deplatformed, or punished for their views, has led to a culture of fear and self-censorship. This phenomenon, which has intensified since 2014, not only affects conservatives but also targets left-leaning professors who are deemed not left enough. Administrators often encourage or facilitate canceling individuals, leading to an inauthentic and less engaged intellectual environment. The belief that censorship can fix the problem of bad ideas fails to acknowledge the dangers of group polarization and the suppression of authentic political opinions. Moreover, cancel culture has a chilling effect on comedy, hindering the capacity for self-reflection and the ability to laugh at oneself, which are important skills for personal growth and societal understanding.
The Role of Comedy in Challenging Cancel Culture
Comedy has traditionally been a space that allows for edgy and controversial conversations, demanding the ability to laugh at uncomfortable realities. However, cancel culture has also targeted comedians, leading to protests, show cancellations, or demands for changes to their content. Some comedians push back against censorship, expressing the importance of maintaining publishing platforms that allow for potentially offensive humor. The comedy community, despite its own internal offenses and boundary-pushing, remains a vital space for critical and self-reflective conversations, offering a counterbalance to the prevailing culture of sensitivity.
The Erosion of Trust in Science due to Cancel Culture
Cancel culture's impact on trust in expertise is exemplified by the case of a Harvard evolutionary biologist who faced backlash and isolation for stating scientific facts about biological sex. Such instances undermine science's credibility and contribute to the erosion of trust in expertise. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the diminishing trust in institutions, as public trust in experts fluctuated and skepticism towards scientific data and recommendations grew. By targeting and punishing individuals for expressing scientifically supported views, cancel culture hampers the public's ability to rely on sound scientific information and fosters skepticism towards experts and institutions.
The Perfect Rhetorical Fortress and Ad Hominem Attacks
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the perfect rhetorical fortress created by ad hominem attacks based on a person's immutable characteristics. They highlight the entrenched reality of this phenomenon on college campuses, where individuals often feel the need to preface their arguments with their identity markers to shield themselves against criticism. The hosts point out that this creates a double-edged situation, where some individuals either claim authority solely based on their identity or deny the legitimacy of someone's identity due to their differing opinions. They emphasize the complexity and detrimental impact of this rhetorical fortress, which stifles open discussion and dialogue.
Gaslighting, Cancelling, and the Erosion of Trust
The podcast dives into the topics of gaslighting, cancel culture, and the erosion of trust in society. They highlight how cancel culture, fueled by social media, has become a vehicle for gaslighting, with certain voices attempting to dismiss or deny the existence of cancel culture. They discuss how this can distort reality and damage trust in authoritative voices. The hosts also explore the generational divide in attitudes towards cancel culture, pointing out that while millennials tend to support it, Gen Z has the most negative view. They emphasize the need for humility, critical thinking, and acknowledging the potential for being wrong in order to counteract the destructive effects of cancel culture.
This week Scott is joined by authors of the new book "The Cancelling of The American Mind", Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott. The three discuss cancel culture's effect on human psychology and how to course correct a society intent on cancelling itself.
